Robotics and automation in construction: Developing foundational insight and tools to support safe implementation

The construction industry is bedeviled by a high rate of worker attrition, work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs), injuries, fatalities, and flat or declining productivity rates. This is a major concern of practitioners and researchers in the construction industry prompting the need for the adoption, implementation, and acceptance of emerging technologies such as robotics and automation (RA) tools that have the potential to improve construction workers’ safety, health, and productivity. Among current developments in RA, wearable robots or exoskeletons have gained traction as a viable tool and ergonomic solution which could reduce the impact of the daily repetitive, high-risk tasks and work conditions requiring overexertion. While researchers have reported the utility of exoskeletons in other industries, limited studies have provided foundational insight on the effective and safe use of exoskeletons in the construction domain. The overarching research goal of this dissertation is to advance the body of knowledge and practice at the nexus of robotics and construction operations. This research utilizes a range of research methodologies and data analysis techniques to develop and evaluate novel tools and methods for enhancing the safe and effective integration of wearable robots into construction operations. Specifically, this dissertation develops (1) a conceptual model to investigate the acceptance of wearable robots in the construction industry, (2) a method to assess the impact of environmental factors on the performance of wearable robots when used for specific construction activities, and (3) systematic processes and tools to identify and evaluate the safety risks associated with the use of wearable robots in the construction industry. This study contributes to the body of knowledge by providing researchers with means to assess the acceptance of wearable robots, a method to evaluate the effectiveness of wearable robots within construction context, and the quantification of wearable robot safety risk. The dissertation also contributes to construction practice by developing critical insight, tools, and strategies that support the application of wearable robots in the construction industry.